Monday, May 18, 2009

Training with Team and Training was great. I always had a running buddy, and we shared a common goal. Since then, I've been pretty much on my own as everyone has settled back into their busy lives. I like myself and all, but telling myself about what I did over the weekend is getting old.

Running on your own all the time sucks. I don't mind it some of the time: actually I love it some of the time. To think, to be alone, to work things out. But on those long runs, especially, I want companionship.

I have scoured the Internet looking for groups. There is a Road Runners Club in Boulder I could try. Anyone have experience with the Road Runners? I could put an ad on Craigs List but then I run the risk of running with psychotic people who find running partners through Craigs List.

Here's my want add:

In search of running group to train for fall marathon. I am a disciplined person. I always show up. I usually do what I say I will do. I don't complain. I run in all weather. I run if I have my period. I even run with stomach upset and I try not to fart when I'm with other people. I would be a great addition to your group, be it mothers, drinkers, marathoners, professionals, you name it. Please have me.

How did you find the group/partner you run with? Am I just a loser for not having a group? I'm pretty nice, really.

30 comments:

I really enjoy running on my own 75% of the time. The other 25% of the time, I struggle to get out the door precisely because I'm running alone. I've been lucky to be on a cross country team with a few teammates who run year round. My plan for next year as I prepare for a fall marathon is to join the running group at my graduate school and the local running group in the city. In short, try the group out. Even if not everyone sits well with you (I guarantee there will be a few freaks there), you might find one or two people who you can run with outside of the group meet-ups.

I just want a running buddy who will show me where to run around here! I have no clue, and I keep getting lost. The closest running group is about twenty minutes away, and they run through a giant state park which I know I won't run on my own because I'm too scared of being kidnapped in the woods.

Sooo I'm not actually helpful here, but I'll be checking back for other people's good tips!

I have a couple of great people I run with. For each of them, we started running together because I knew they ran and I asked if I could join them. It's nice to mix it up with different people - helps break up the routine.

Your ad is cute...I would run with you. :) I run alone. I don't mind it at all on my short runs...but 9 miles alone yesterday got a bit boring. I run on a crowded path so at least there are people to smile at and wave to.

Here in Jersey there are little options, especially in the southern area. Most of th clubs I found were in North Jersey or in PA. I was lucky enough that a few wonderful people had realized this three years ago and started a club, which is now an organization. It is a Tri-Sports club since we participate in mostly triathlon, but we have members who have never done a tri as well but run, bike or particiapte in duathlon. I feel your pain, because without my group I would be a lot more lost. I wish you luck in finding something!!

great post - ive found some great running buddies in chicago just through friends, but im moving and will need to find new runing buddies in san fran! i would say, try out a few groups and if its meant to be, you will know : )

I get the need for a group/partner for all the reasons you state! Plus you make some mighty cool friends this way. I ran with a Korean War vet during one of my long runs. We were talking about facebook and he said he doesn't need that and if you want to get to know him, just slow down and run. I love it. You probably don't want to slow down (BQ and all) but just run. I love Roadrunners in Richmond, VA - great group. Somebody (preferably no perverts) in CO help my friend out!!

With an add like that your sure to find some quality running buddy or a psycho, not sure which one. Seriously, I think that is a great add and If I came across that, I would definitely want to run with you.

I would like to find a running group or buddy for all the same reasons you stated, but have not done so yet.

I joined the Road Runners in Youngstown years ago and met some great guys to run with. I like to say it can be a good experience, but does vary from club to club. But is probably the safest way to find running partners.

Sadly all the running clubs here seem to run in the evenings...and I don't exactly want to post a craigslist ad for "those early morning runs, when there's not another living soul around" because that's a little scary. I do like your ad, though!

I like being on my own, but sometimes a group/partner just makes it more fun. I found my group in Highlands Ranch through the Rec center/race series. Without them I would probably skip speed/track work every week and they definitley make the long runs more enjoyable! Pretty good laid back group with lots of good running experience and tips.

I bet you could ask at Runners Roost about other groups/clubs near you.

I also kept hearing about other people at work that run and finally got a group of us together for the occasional lunchtime run.

I pretty much do all of my training on my own. Part of it is that it's very difficult to coordinate all of my runs around work and family as it is. Trying to meet up with other runners on their schedule would probably be near impossible. Besides, my running is my time to myself.

I've thought about joining those "Runners Clubs" about 50 time (live between baltimore and DC, so there are even TWO to choose from!)....but never have. I'm with you - I'd love to run with a group now and then.Recently I posted a race report and a local runner saw it, then invited me to run a few 10Ks with his group. The first was last weekend it was SO much fun! SO, I guess...keep blogging about local races? Ya never know :)

Hi Beth, I'm a member of a Run Club, but mainly run on my own. Not sure where you are located here in CO, but the run club that I am with is the Runner Roost and they meet (I think) at the store which is on Parker and Arapahoe. I can e-mail you the times if you want. Have you decided on a marathon yet? I'd run with you, but I'm slow as hell.

I'm weird and kinda like to run by myself, so it's been strange to start running with a group. But i know it's important to a lot of people, I actually found mine by googling for running groups in kc. I have heard good things about road runners

I ran into my running buddy at a race. We work at the same hospital her in social work and me in nursing. Just saw eachother in passing. At the race we decided to do another one in a few weeks at the gym we both belonged to. Just sort of worked out. Sorry I'm of no help.

Love your ad, I would join your group except for the distance, it would be a little hard to meet up!! I do my short runs by myself (usually), all my long runs I do with my husband!!! We talk a alot and enjoy the conversation without the children.

I find the biggest benefit to running with a partner is it seems to make me more committed! I am less likely to talk myself out of a run if someone is counting on me to go with them.

hahaha I LOVE YOUR AD! I am actually starting to train for the philly marathon starting in july - i go to school in baltimore so I too am looking for a running group of some type! I agree-- its great to run alone but sometimes you just need others! hope you find something!

As far as your Garmin question, if you go into settings, there is a place to set up at what distance you want it to do splits. It will give you a beep each time it reaches that point and it will keep track of the time for each split. You can set it to distances other than a mile as well. If you wanted to do 1/4 mile repeats and you didn't have a track handy, you could use the Garmin to tell you every time you went a 1/4 mile.

I only have one friend that runs and she lives 4 hours away, but visits several times a year. I don't mind regular running on my own, but I'd like a friend to go to races with. Also, someone to occasionally run semi-secluded places with and still feel safe. Unfortunately, I'm not a very outgoing person and sadly a little socially introverted, so the thought of joining a running group to meet a friend is scary to me. Sounds pathetic and silly, but sadly true.